Costumes, skin, dogs ... even kids warm up for Carnival

By By JAKE ELLISON

on February 3, 2013 1:30 PM

Photo: AP

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Confetti rains down on a group of revelers at the Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party, a pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday. According to Rio's tourism office, Rio's street Carnival this year will
consist of 492 block parties, attended by an estimated five million
Carnival enthusiasts. less

Confetti rains down on a group of revelers at the Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party, a pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday. According to Rio's tourism ... more

Photo: AP

Confetti rains down on a group of revelers at the Simpatia e Quase... Photo-4131116.56190 - seattlepi.com

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Awoman dances with her dog during the animals carnival, in Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Awoman dances with her dog during the animals carnival, in Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Photo: CHRISTOPHE SIMON, Getty

Awoman dances with her dog during the animals carnival, in... Photo-4132476.56190 - seattlepi.com

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A man who says he is depicting President Barack Obama poses for a photo holding a banner that reads in Portuguese; "This man is me," at the Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party, a pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday. less

A man who says he is depicting President Barack Obama poses for a photo holding a banner that reads in Portuguese; "This man is me," at the Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party, a ... more

Photo: AP

A man who says he is depicting President Barack Obama poses for a... Photo-4131117.56190 - seattlepi.com

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A reveler performs a split jump at the Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party, a pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday.

A reveler performs a split jump at the Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party, a pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday.

Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party members and faithful carry a boat filled with flowers as an offering to the sea goddess Yemanja, during a pre-Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday. Worshippers honor the deity, offering flowers and launching boats, large and small, into the ocean showing their gratitude for her blessings bestowed upon them. less

Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party members and faithful carry a boat filled with flowers as an offering to the sea goddess Yemanja, during a pre-Carnival celebration in Rio de ... more

A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse like-bow shouts outs in revelry at the Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party, a pre-Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday. According to Rio's tourism office, Rio's street Carnival this year will consist of 492 block parties, attended by an estimated five million Carnival enthusiasts. less

A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse like-bow shouts outs in revelry at the Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party, a pre-Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday. According ... more

A woman smiles for a photo at the 'Carnaval na Central' carnival block parade, in central station, during pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday.

A woman smiles for a photo at the 'Carnaval na Central' carnival block parade, in central station, during pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday.

Photo: AP

A woman smiles for a photo at the 'Carnaval na Central'... Photo-4131120.56190 - seattlepi.com

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Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party members and faithful carry a boat filled with flowers as an offering to the sea goddess,Yemanja, during a pre-Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday. less

Simpatia e Quase Amor or "Kindness is almost love," block party members and faithful carry a boat filled with flowers as an offering to the sea goddess,Yemanja, during a pre-Carnival celebration in Rio de ... more

The "corteo delle Marie" (Mary's procession) crosses St. Mark square during the opening day of the Venice Carnival, in Venice, Italy, Sunday. Tens of thousands of visitors come every day to Venice during the Carnival celebrations, that will go on until Feb. 12. less

The "corteo delle Marie" (Mary's procession) crosses St. Mark square during the opening day of the Venice Carnival, in Venice, Italy, Sunday. Tens of thousands of visitors come every day to Venice during the ... more

Children pass the time at a pre-carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday. A Police Pacification Unit, UPP, organized the party for about 80 children from surrounding shantytowns. The UPP program aims to reduce crime, bring services to shantytown residents and increase safety in preparation for the World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Olympic games. less

Children pass the time at a pre-carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday. A Police Pacification Unit, UPP, organized the party for about 80 children from surrounding shantytowns. The UPP program ... more

Photo: AP

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A man dances at the 'Carnaval na Central' carnival block parade, in central station, during pre-carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday.

A man dances at the 'Carnaval na Central' carnival block parade, in central station, during pre-carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday.

Marta Finotto, a student at Venice's University, dressed in a traditional costume, descends from the bell tower into St. Mark square, during the "Angel's flight", one of the highlights of the opening day of the Venice Carnival, in Venice, Italy, Sunday. less

Marta Finotto, a student at Venice's University, dressed in a traditional costume, descends from the bell tower into St. Mark square, during the "Angel's flight", one of the highlights of the opening day of the ... more

Marta Finotto, a student at Venice's University, dressed in a traditional costume, descends from the bell tower into St. Mark square, during the "Angel's flight", one of the highlights of the opening day of the Venice Carnival, in Venice, Italy, Sunday. less

Marta Finotto, a student at Venice's University, dressed in a traditional costume, descends from the bell tower into St. Mark square, during the "Angel's flight", one of the highlights of the opening day of the ... more

Marta Finotto, a student at Venice's University, dressed in a traditional costume, salutes after descending from the bell tower into St. Mark square, during the "Angel's flight", one of the highlights of the opening day of the Venice Carnival, in Venice, Italy, Sunday. less

Marta Finotto, a student at Venice's University, dressed in a traditional costume, salutes after descending from the bell tower into St. Mark square, during the "Angel's flight", one of the highlights of the ... more

Marta Finotto, center, a student at Venice's University, dressed in a traditional costume, poses with other traditional masks after descending from the bell tower into St. Mark square, during the "Angel's flight", one of the highlights of the opening day of the Venice Carnival, in Venice, Italy, Sunday. less

Marta Finotto, center, a student at Venice's University, dressed in a traditional costume, poses with other traditional masks after descending from the bell tower into St. Mark square, during the "Angel's ... more

Costumed revellers arrive at St Mark's square during the carnival on Monday in Venice. The 2013 edition of the Venice carnival is untitled " Live in Colour" and runs from January 26 to February 12. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO less

Costumed revellers arrive at St Mark's square during the carnival on Monday in Venice. The 2013 edition of the Venice carnival is untitled " Live in Colour" and runs from January 26 to February 12. AFP PHOTO / ... more

A woman dressed in costume performs on stage during the Volo dell'Angelo at the official Opening of Venice Carnival at Piazza San Marco on Monday in Venice, Italy. The Carnival which starts on February 2 and finishes on February 12, attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. less

A woman dressed in costume performs on stage during the Volo dell'Angelo at the official Opening of Venice Carnival at Piazza San Marco on Monday in Venice, Italy. The Carnival which starts on February 2 and ... more

Photo: Barbara Zanon, Getty

A woman dressed in costume performs on stage during the Volo... Photo-4132492.56190 - seattlepi.com

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Costumed revellers pose near St Mark's square during the carnival on Monday in Venice. The 2013 edition of the Venice carnival is untitled " Live in Colour" and runs from January 26 to February 12. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO less

Costumed revellers pose near St Mark's square during the carnival on Monday in Venice. The 2013 edition of the Venice carnival is untitled " Live in Colour" and runs from January 26 to February 12. AFP PHOTO / ... more

Costumed revellers pose near St Mark's square during the carnival on Sunday in Venice. The 2013 edition of the Venice carnival is untitled " Live in Colour" and runs from January 26 to February 12. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO less

Costumed revellers pose near St Mark's square during the carnival on Sunday in Venice. The 2013 edition of the Venice carnival is untitled " Live in Colour" and runs from January 26 to February 12. AFP PHOTO / ... more

People parade with their dogs during the animals carnival, in Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON

People parade with their dogs during the animals carnival, in Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Photo: CHRISTOPHE SIMON, Getty

People parade with their dogs during the animals carnival, in... Photo-4132477.56190 - seattlepi.com

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Oriana Alvarez, a member of the murga "Los amantes de La Boca," poses for pictures before participating in carnival celebrations in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday. Argentina's carnival celebrations may not be as well-known as the ones in neighboring Uruguay and Brazil, but residents of the nation's capital are equally passionate about their "murgas," or traditional musical troupes. The murga "Los amantes de La Boca,- or The Lovers of The Boca - is among the largest, with about 400 members. It's a reference to the hometown Boca Juniors, among the most popular soccer teams in Argentina and the world. less

Oriana Alvarez, a member of the murga "Los amantes de La Boca," poses for pictures before participating in carnival celebrations in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday. Argentina's carnival celebrations may not ... more

Photo: AP

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Members of the murga "Los amantes de La Boca" perform during carnival celebrations in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday.

Members of the murga "Los amantes de La Boca" perform during carnival celebrations in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday.

Photo: AP

Members of the murga "Los amantes de La Boca" perform... Photo-4132562.56190 - seattlepi.com